JohnsonArts is a workshop, makeground, imagineering design center and studio, specializing in custom-designed and built furniture, lighting, items of function and objet d’ art.

Located in Pacific Grove, CA, we work across multiple media including wood and metal and the graphic arts. Our key areas of expertise are imaginative designs, tailored solutions, one-off productions and entertaining whimsies, particularly kinetic.

One of our offerings is the Jefferson Book Stand, found in Monticello. Thomas Jefferson, ever the student, was constantly studying. He needed to reference multiple sources, but found finding, opening and closing books cumbersome and time-wasting.

So, he invented this revolving book stand which allowed him to quickly and easily view five books with the spin of the wrist.

The footprint, when closed is 13 inches (33 cm) square. It stands 15 inches (38 cm) high. The four sides open and their inclination can be adjusted to any angle between 0 to 50 degrees. The top leaf inclination is 60 degrees. I recommend poplar which takes any stain well, but of course you can have it in oak, cherry, mahogany, or fir.